A passenger in the car, a man in his early 50s, was not seriously injured in the crash. He was taken to University Hospital Galway.

The woman’s body was removed to hospital in Galway.

Gardaí have closed the road to facilitate an inspection by forensic collision investigators.

They have appealed for witnesses who or anyone who was on the N59 close to Moycullen Village between 4am and 5am to contact Salthill Garda Station on 091 514720.

Meanwhile in Northern Ireland, two 24-year-old men have died following a road accident involving a tractor on the Ballyconnelly Road, Cullybackey, Co Antrim.

Three men in a Fiat Punto collided with a John Deere tractor shortly after 8.15pm. A third man aged 21 received non-life threatening head injuries. The driver of the tractor was treated at the scene for injuries that are not believed to be serious. Police are keen to hear from witnesses.